The Differences that Make a Difference: William James on the Importance of Individuals

Abstract

William James’s "On the Importance of Individuals" (1890) is part of his contribution to the long-running late-nineteenth-century debate on the question of "great men" in history. C. S. Peirce also took an interest in this question, but from a statistical angle apparently at odds with James more intuitive, anecdotal approach. A comparative study, however, reveals the attractive possibility of combining ideas from Peirce and ideas from James to arrive at a subtler understanding of what statistical social-scientific study can, and what it cannot, do, and a more complete theory of inquiry that will accommodate both the individual contributions that James highlights, and the social mechanisms of correction and adjustment that Peirce stresses.

Keywords: William James, C. S. Peirce, Individual vs. Community, Great Men in History, Social Determinism, Theory of Inquiry